COLUMBUS — Virtual reality, neural feedback and digital therapy are among five ideas to help solve the U.S. opioid crisis that have won a global technology challenge in Ohio.
Hundreds of researchers, caregivers, service providers and individuals from Ohio, other states and nine countries participated in the competition.
Winners received $10,000 to take ideas into development.
Winning ideas included using virtual reality for addiction prevention, using neural feedback to support surgical patients through physical therapy and digital addiction therapy based on mindfulness theory.
Kelly Cashion’s neurofeedback program (right) examines brain activity to help those recovering from addiction.
“We can show someone what is happening in a certain part of their brain and then use visualization tools and games to suppress or amplify that activity. This helps them control cravings and prevent a relapse,” said Cashion, is a researcher at the University of Dayton Research Institute.
The state is offering the $8 million challenge and $12 million in research-and-development in a two-pronged strategy aimed at driving scientific breakthroughs to address the deadly epidemic tied to prescription painkillers.
Republican Ohio Gov. John Kasich called for the investment as the state has been among the hardest hit.